Its been a while since we wrote you all a blog, so here it comes...!!

Since all our successes last year, gig-wise and on the telly, this year we're taking over the WORLD!!

Starting on Friday 22nd February at THE AFTERSHOW on the main stage (give us your names if you want CHEAP guaranteed entry, after last month you might need it!!)

Then we're moving onto London to spend some time with the lovely Ravenous Promotions at the Good Ship, Kilburn.

Next - the World!!  Well... Liverpool.  Keep your eye on our calendar for updates.

Cheers guys! xx

BLUEBIRD KID CLARK _ BOTTOM DOLLAR REVIEW

Has any British band in the last two decades come up with a better debut album than Bluebird Kid Clark's "Bottom Dollar"? From the first minute, it's a call to arms to ditch the I-pod in favour of a hunting horn filtered through the vinyl days of Abbey Road, like some lost outtake from The Beatles' bungalow bill.  Soon Dave Fidler shouts "c'mon lads, lets get a move on", and not since McCartney counted in the swinging sixties with "1,2,3,4" on "I saw her standing there", has the listener braced themselves for a half hour revolution in the head.  "Life and times of Peter Smith" sees Sion Fitton  celebrate hope, peace and joy in his most high-on-the-melody-of-life voice, whilst the band build into a twin melodic meltdown, with a kazoo in one speaker reinventing Mungo Jerry, and the backing vocals in the other reinventing Brian Wilson's wettest dreams.  There's no unnecessary noise, no hiding behind distortion like so many breaking bands following the New York state of mind: It's harmonious on the surface, wise beyond its years underneath. After a hundred listens or so, you start to notice that even the lyrics, without being sentimental or shallow, make you want to kiss life full on the lips and give it a great big bear hug.  

If everything in life was as sunshiny happy as "Peter Smith," there would be no need for Prozac -- but what fun would that be? BBKC are the kind of band that sense there is a song for every season of the soul.
"Zaccheaus" sets the tone straight after – a simple acoustic throwaway, short but meditative, a kind of musical haiku.  A Dave Clarke 5 drum call, plus a really brain imbedding guitar hook makes sense of the lyrics to "all in Your Head".  The vocal is instantly recognisable, you wonder if your MP3 has jumped straight to Big Star. From thereafter it's a nod of the head to various influences whilst always remaining very much BBKC. For instance, Dave Fidler has surely been listening to Robby Kreiger, as the guitar solo on "New York" seems to slip somewhere off "five to one", and rearranges its notes to convey New York's cynical cool.  The influence of Manchester bands is noticeably absent, none more so than on "She's a ray of sunshine", which is more Nashville than Mancunian, or at the least, a hybrid of the two: Mashville.  The harmony vocals are consistently great, especially the outro to "stuck in a feeling" which verges on sounding like a northern Dylan doodling over Daydream believer.

Surprisingly, Bottom Dollar, ends in melancholic confession, as "Rock N' Roll", speaks of music being the band's salvation and sin at the same time. The song's light touch, betrays its title, but adds the right cathartic touch as it seeks to ask for a second chance as much as it asks to close the album.  Unlike a lot of current harmony focused guitar bands, Bluebird Kid Clark are too smart and sincere to merely fake being the next Beatles, they've already assumed they are, this album alone, is evidence that they are just waiting for the rest of the world to play catch up.  Like cream, Manchester always rises to the top, but this time without sounding Mancunian at all.

MATTHEW BRITTON

If you missed our performance on T4's Popworld last month, you can watch it all again by visiting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wnj0FO5he50

Why not check it out and leave us a comment to let us know what you think.

CHEERS

Bluebird Kid Clark
Bottom Dollar (Massive UK Records)

This Stalybridge four-piece are the combination of two defunct bands, The Pedestrians and Rio 6. Luckily, emerging like a phoenix from the flames is a band with a varied sound, which is so rare and refreshing. So often bands put out albums in which every track sounds the same, which makes for instantly forgettable offerings. Bottom Dollar is by no means one of this ilk.

Everything about Bluebird Kid Clark is interesting, ranging from their name to the album cover, which features the sign from the Bottom Dollar Discount shop in their native Stalyvegas, as stolen by the band following its closure after a drunken night out.

The rock guitar sample of 'Entrance Of The Clowns' in the fifty-one second instrumental opener '20th Century English Man' differs from the rest of the fast paced debut album. Each track stands out on its own as unique and with their combination of backing guitar similar to that of The View and a vocal that in parts sounds like The Zutons, especially on the future anthem 'Sun In The Morning'.

Overall it is a polished debut which takes listeners on a journey through all imaginable emotions, from joy to happiness to uncertainty and doubt then back again. Remember the name Bluebird Kid Clark (let's face it, with such a name it's hard to forget it - for all the right reasons!) they're going places. Today Stalybridge, tomorrow the world.

Chris Horricks
www.sandmanmagazine.co.uk/sandman/issues/133/NR/NR133.html

MANCHESTER BAND BLUEBIRD KID CLARK PERFORMS LIVE ON NATIONAL TELEVISION!

Local Stalybridge lads Bluebird Kid Clark are a band on the rise. Dave, Sion, Rob and Tim, recently fought off 4,000 other unsigned bands to be crowned winners on T4's music show, Popworld!

" We are so pleased to have won the competition, all our friends, family and fans were voting online and downloading our track, we are so grateful to everyone who bought it!" says Dave Fidler, front man. The track, Stuck in a Feeling received around 3000 downloads and Bluebird Kid Clark are set to release the song as an official single within the next six weeks.

Bluebird Kid Clark are signed to independent label MassiveUK records and have just released their debut album 'Bottom Dollar'. They are currently receiving local airplay on XFM Manchester, All FM and The Revolution 96.2. They have also received support and coverage from local TV Station Channel M. 

Glorious Kinks meets Beatles pop songs, new Manchester boys Bluebird Kid Clark have a 60's sound that allies them with the likes of The Coral, The Zutons and The Stands, but with their own style. The main thing they have in common with these bands is the high quality of their songs.

See for yourself as they perform Stuck in a Feeling live this Saturday (30^th) 10am-12pm and Sunday (1^st) between 9am and 11am, you can also catch repeats over the weekend on E4 and E4+1. These times are approximates, please check your TV guide for times in your area.  

www.myspace.com/bluebirdkidclark

You can download the track from, www.napster.co.uk or any good online music store.

"Bluebird Kid Clark have a brilliant sound, one of the most distinctive sounds out of all the new Manchester bands." CLINT BOON, XFM MANCHESTER

"Some of the most euphoric, sun-kissed guitar pop music that you thought the 21st Century was too cynical to deliver...... these are songs that would make The Magic Numbers sound like Nick Cave." DAVID SUE, MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS

Really clever song-writing..... So much happening it makes you want to hear it again...." PHIL JUPITUS, BBC RADIO 6

"Sun drenched Harmonies evoke the feeling of waking up next to the one you love." MANCHESTEREVENINGNEWS

Love Manchester Festival Press Release

The Love Manchester Festival takes place from some of the most prestigious and popular venues in the Northern Quarter, starting on Monday 28^th May – Saturday 2^nd June, The Love Manchester Festival will be showcasing some of the best in local Music, Art, Theatre and Fashion with Love being the theme. Manchester Artist's have been commissioned to explore the meaning of Love. Over 80 people are involved in the smooth running of this event and the content promise's to be all inspiring for all those who come along to see what all the fuss is about!

Co-promoter Hannah Jackson (MassiveUK) says "over the last few years we've noticed a growing desire amongst the community of many local creative's to work together to make a noise in Manchester. There are some fantastically talented people in our city producing innovative and inspiring creative work, but these are often overlooked by bigger commercial acts. This festival puts earthy love-themed art works, fashion and original music into local NQ bars creating a week of some of the best creative parties this year has seen!'

Love Art:

The festival kicks off on Bank Holiday Monday at the Bay Horse. The events will be showcasing local multi media artists, filmmakers, and musicians with live music from Hannah Atkins, The Courting Blades, and performance art from Swine Theatre and Ben Mellor. Love Art continues via a week long exhibition of specially commissioned innovative artworks by emerging and established artists.

Monday 28^th May

The Bay Horse, Thomas Street, Manchester

TIMES:  2pm- 4pm Projection art/ short films showcase (Free)

               5pm-7pm VIP Reception/Art Show and festival launch

               7pm- late Night of visual and performance art, theatre, and live music

PRICE: £3

Love Your Hero:    Brought to you by the promoters of Moorfest V Prostate

                                                                                                              Cancer

After a very 'Happy Monday' at the Bay Horse(!), Tuesday sees Love Manchester's first club night 'Love your Hero'. Fancy dress is optional, but will be encouraged! Hosted by Clint Boon (XFM & Inspiral Carpets) supported by Bluebird Kid Clark DJ's at Mint lounge. 'Love your Hero' is sure to be one of the wackiest dates of the festival calendar! Sponsored by the House of Haynes fancy dress stall also on Oldham Street, you are guaranteed to see many staff dressed as something they 'love' about MCR! Performing in true Manchester indie fashion are The Whiskey Cats, The Paris Riots, Frazer King and Blindio!

Co promoter Jamie Crowley says, "We would like hopefully everyone who comes to this special and one off night to come in fancy dress, so whether you come as a pint of Boddingtons or as Mark E Smith! Be sure to bring the love of Manchester with you. If you're  not dressed in fancy dress then the 'love of MCR' will surely get you past the door!"

Tuesday 29^th May

MINT LOUNGE, OLDHAM ST, MANCHESTER

TIME: 8PM – LATE

PRICE: £5/£4 NUS

Love Loungin':

Wednesday sees us take our Barmy Army of festival goers on a front room frenzy in three of the Northern Quarter's well loved watering holes! Relax and put your feet up in our trio of live lounge venues for a night of laid back love songs and melting melodies to lift your mid week blues.

At Koffee Pot pull up a bean bag, plump up a cushion, sip on your tea in the candlelight and unwind to Becky Higg and Tom Mann. Then over to Odd bar where you can chill out and lounge away to the acoustic sounds of Bluebird Kid Clark and These Eyes Are Cameras. After the relaxation its time to step up a gear and head on to the secret after party, taking you into the early hours of Thursday morning! Manchester legend, Mani (Stone Roses & Primal Scream) hosts this event  with live full band sets from The Evening Society and The Vox.

Wednesday 30^th May

TIMES: Koffee Pot 5-7

             Odd Bar 7-10

             Secret Party Location from 9- 1

PRICE:  £5

Love Your Soul:

Mostly original New Soul and broken-beat from DJs Daco, Jonny Miller, Latty and Maddslinky feat live p.a. from Vaceo and the 'My Family' vocalists (resident Lammars musicians). Spruce up your do, don your glad rags and come prepared to groove till the early hours!

Thursday 31^st May

Lammars, Hilton Street

TIME: 8.30-1.00

PRICE: Free!

Strut Love:

Friday night sees us whisk you off for a night of fashion and music brought to you by some of MCR's best up and coming talented designers, featuring: Unique Boutique, Me & Yu, Mango Bingo, Thunderegg, Woodchip Boutique, Trinket, Fur coat and no Knickers, Hayes Fancy Dress. Strut Love will take place next to Lammar's in a newly renovated atrium perfect for the electro fashion show we have in store for you! After the show comes the after party, with the Contort Yourself DJ's, Natalie Esquire, and F & K  playing the best of electro for a funky, fresh and fashionable Friday party vibe!

Friday 1^st June

Atrium

TIME: 8-LATE

PRICE: £8/£7 NUS

Love the Big Party:

Saturday sees a whopping Grand Finale at Dry bar, originally known as Dry201 Manchester's First European style Café Bar and venue with a lot of MCR history attached to it. Famous for banning the like of Shuan Ryder and Liam Gallagher and being showcased in films like '24 hour party people' this will surely be the perfect back drop to showcase such a perfect night.

On the night we have a Massive Attack DJ set from Dot Allison plus Steven 'Beta Band' Mason's new electro Act 'Black Affair' taking to the stage! Bez's new band Domino Bones will also take to the stage. While all this is going on professional doodlers Sketch City will create oodles of  interactive art work based on the 'Love MCR theme' so the Big Party-goers can get involved in the art they have planned for the night! Popular club night Sex with Robots are hosting room two with up and coming Manchester band talent including Bluebird Kid Clark being showcased on the main stage. This promises to be a truly electric collective- a night of top quality acts and entertainment celebrating Manchester and the love of the city!

Saturday 2^nd June

DRY BAR, OLDHAM STREET

TIME: 8-2

PRICE: £10/£8 NUS

So if you need a little or a lot of love in your life, be sure to pick yourself up a map in the many different venues this event takes place in!!!   

Editors Notes:

The Love Manchester logo was reworked by world renowned Manchester mosaic artist Mark Kennedy (Affleks Palace mosaics) especially for the event. The logo has been shaped by his legendary style to add a touch of Manchester's history to the Northern Quarter Festival!

Prices: Mon £3, Tues £5, Weds £5, Thurs Free, Fri £8, Sat £10 if you're coming to a few, why not pick up a weekly ticket for £20. Entry for all events can be paid on the door, but to be on the safe side book yourself advance tickets!

Tickets from: MassiveUK call 01618334982 or email tickets@massiveuk.org.uk

Sponsors: MassiveUK, Moorfest, House of Haynes, Sketch City

Myspace: www.myspace.com/lovemanchester

Contact details for further enquiries: Hannah Jackson/ HannahHardwick at

                                                          MassiveUK: 0161 833 4982